The body uses cholesterol, a waxy substance that travels through the bloodstream, to make hormones, Vitamin D, bile acids and other substances. Too much cholesterol in the blood can cause a buildup of plaque on the artery walls, increasing the risk of heart disease. The body naturally produces some cholesterol. Your diet accounts for the rest. Some foods contain cholesterol, and some contain saturated fats and trans fatty acids (trans fats), which cause the body to produce more cholesterol than it needs.
Foods That Contain Cholesterol
Foods that come from animals or animal products contain cholesterol. Foods that come from plants do not contain cholesterol. Foods high in cholesterol include liver and other organ meats, fish, egg yolks, whole milk dairy products such as butter, cheese and cream and processed meats like bologna, sausage, hot dogs and salami.
Foods That Contain Saturated Fat
Foods that contain saturated fat raise your blood cholesterol more than anything else in your diet, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Saturated fat is solid at room and refrigerator temperatures. It occurs naturally in beef, beef fat, lamb, pork, veal, poultry with skin on, lard, palm and coconut oils and whole milk dairy products such as butter, cream and cheese. Many foods that contain saturated fat also contain cholesterol, which makes them raise your blood cholesterol level even higher.
Foods That Contain Trans Fat
Foods that contain trans fat increase blood cholesterol much like saturated fats do. Trans fat is found in foods that are hydrogenated, a process in which hydrogen is added to foods to make them more solid at room temperature. Main sources of trans fat are stick margarine, baked goods such as cookies, pies, cakes and breads, crackers, doughnuts and foods fried in hydrogenated shortening such as chicken and french fries. Many "fast food" items also contain trans fat.
